Senior Abuse Law

Where To Report Elder Neglect And Abuse In Colorado – Helplines, Hotlines, and Referral Sources

To report suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Colorado:

• Suspected mistreatment or self-neglect of an at-risk adult living in the home should be reported to the county APS office; visit the County Department of Social (Human) Services online directory to obtain local numbers.
• Suspected mistreatment occurring in licensed nursing home or assisted living residence should be reported to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. To find the contact information for the Ombudsman assigned to a specific institution, call the regional Area Agency on Aging. View a map of the Colorado Area Agencies on Aging regions, Here.

Colorado State Government Agencies

The following agencies can help you file a complaint against a nursing or long-term care facility, as well as provide you with additional information and support regarding senior neglect and abuse:

• Colorado Adult Protective Services
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities Division
• Colorado Division of Aging and Adult Services
• Colorado Long Term Care Ombudsman

Colorado Laws and Regulations

The following laws were enacted to help protect seniors against abuse:

• Part 1 – Protective Services for At-risk Adults, Section 26-3.1-101, C.R.S., et seq
• Part 2 – Protection Against Financial Exploitation of At-risk Adults, Section 26-3.1-201, C.R.S., et seq
• Wrongs to At-risk Adults, Section 18-6.5-101, C.R.S., et seq
• Mandatory Sentences for Violent Crimes, Section 18-1.3-406, C.R.S., et seq

Access additional related statutes, Here.

Other Resources

• Colorado AARP Elder Watch / Fraud Prevention – A Program with the Colorado Attorney General
• Colorado Coalition for Elder Rights and Adult Protection
• How to Participate in Resolving Health Care Problems in Nursing Homes
• State elder abuse statistics and/or other publications, Available Here.